Minster2Minster take 4 27/08/2016

After competing the previous evening I did not sleep well, I was worried that I would miss my alarm. My Fitbit vibrated at 4 am and bleary eyed I got out of bed. I forgot to take my alarm clock with me that I had set for ten past four as insurance against my Fitbit not waking me.( I found out later that had gone off waking Billy). Sorry. I got my breakfast and got dressed. checked my kit and got ready to leave, went to the loo one last time and went to collect Helen ( I had invited Helen who is a Bedale and Aiskew runner because she has entered the Round Ripon Ultra and I thought it would be good training, she had to wear a Ripon Runner vest though. Thanks Hayley for providing that) The moon was still up, it was dark "Oh where did summer go?" it was just after 5 am and I was setting off for the now annual Ripon Runners fun run, a social run from Ripon Cathedral along the River Ure to York Minster, the Minster2Minster Marathon, its about 30 miles. Organiser Matt has learnt a lot from Jon Steele and his Hardmoors races and bonus miles.

It was foggy driving to Ripon, patchy bands of fog, It promised to be a nice day once it burnt off.
We arrived in Ripon and parked in Marygate carpark £2 all day. Maggie, Phil and Robin had just arrived too. I paid to park and we set off to the all night loo at the top car park. Oh no! it was locked. Gutted, I was relying on that. I hoped the court house loos were open as it was nearly 6 am, the iron gates were open, it was looking good, but no! the doors were locked. Jane was already at the front of the cathedral. Soon more runners arrived I was expecting 17 plus me. The 6 am group was going, in 2013 there was just me. Matt who turned his idea into a club run arrived with Michael to see us off. Michael and Susan the wife of one of our group would be supporting us with water and our bags at pre arranged points. Hilary and Julie arrived on their bikes, they would be riding the route with us, Hilary had done this for the last 2 years and the group of cyclists, like runners was growing every year.

Soon all of us were gathered. we had a group photo before setting off. Martin, Hayley, Phil, Tony, Mel, Robin, Simon, Jane, Jane, John, Jackie, Sam, Maggie, Chris, Clare, Helen, Angela and myself
The first stage to Boroughbridge was mainly road and 8 miles of good running. The group was of differing abilities so we regrouped regularly to keep the group together. It was still misty and mysterious as we ran through Bluebell Wood (what I called it as a child) and there was a chicken, no! it was not a chicken it was a cockerel. A cockeral stood in the middle of the road, totally unphased by 18 runners in burgundy vests running past at 06:30, It then proceeded to attempt to join us, chasing Mel. Hmm Mel seems to have an animal attraction

M2M 2014

As we ran down the Newby Hall exit road a beautiful owl, probably a barn owl looking at its colouring, flew towards us, landed in a tree looked and flew off to the left. It really was a beautiful morning.

As we turned of the exit road we were confronted with a stunning sight, a misty sun peaking around the trees.

We had to stop and admire it.

We ran around the wood, though the farm and into Skelton on Ure, We ran through the village mainly in single file as we ran along the road in the mist, with calls of car from the front and back as the world was awakening.
I passed along the line running with different people and making sure that no one was left behind. Helen and Angela, our guests had settled into the group well. As we got to Boroughbridge I got myself back to the front to make sure that everyone went the right way, to the car park with the loos. Now these were locked last year, but fingers and legs crossed I hoped they were open. As I approached I wasn't too hopeful, I tried the door expecting it not to move, but it opened. Yey! we had loos, I was not the only happy person as a queue formed.

8 miles down and the first support stop. I was keen to keep everyone moving, not allowing muscles to stiffen. Hilary and Julie were already there, as were Susan and Michael. We got drinks and snacks, and some people changed trainers as the group was about to split and some were to run on the road. We discussed wearing long sleeves and leggings for the undergrowth, I decided to risk it as I had been told it had been strimmed, the others followed my example.

Right, time to go, we were on a tight schedule to meet the runners who were doing the last 10 miles at Newton on Ouse. The group split into two with Simon leading the road group. My group set off for the riverside. We ran on the flood defences for a while and I took the opportunity to show the others what Giant Hogeed looks like to try and prevent anyone getting chemical burns from contact with the invasive Giant Hogweed. It looked as if the statuesque plant was dying off leaving its skeletal frame looming above the other invasive plant Himalayan Balsam. The path was well away from them at this point.

After the flood defence we went down the lane, the way into the field was not too clear, I clarified with Tony that this was the last field before the river before dodging the new growth of Hogweed, pointing it out as I passed and entering the corn field. There is a public right of way here but the crop goes right up to the impregnable wall of riverside foliage. For the four years that I have done this run the path here has not been clear. We worked our way single file through the field to the fence at the other side. the stile is inaccessible so we had to cross the barbed wire fence

the path was very feint

After crossing the fence we had a couple of fields that were runable before being faced by a crop of oats that had been flattened in the rains and now covered the path, We walked through high stepping until we were out of that field, Our legs were scratched and our feet soaked in the morning dew. The rest of the route was mainly overgrown and we had sections where it was really tricky avoiding the Hogweed, getting nettled and scratched and hoping that's all it was

We crossed the foot bridge and the metal bridge, there were areas where the ground was different depths under an even cover of flattened grass. At last we made it to the four narrow fields, the sides of the path were so overgrown that I was not certain when we emerged if we had crossed 3 or 4 fields, i asked John if this was the right field, he thought it was too and there was a bigger fence against the next field. We turned away from the river, half way up the field we met a lady walking her dogs, she said the path was in the next field. We crossed to the next field where Hayley and Martin were waiting and ran through the caravan site to the pub, where the other group, the cyclists and Michael and Susan were waiting. Another 5 miles done, but very slowly.

So more refreshments and trainer changing, I decided to give the next off road section a miss as last year it was very overgrown, we would do the next section by road. By now the faster runners who had set off at 7 am would be hot on our trail. We set off for Great Ouseburn by road, we were more strung out and we had Julie and Hilary for company, and Michael drove slowly alongside. The roads were getting busier and there were lots of cyclists and the occasional runner out enjoying the lovely sunshine. As our soggy squelchy feet dried out we approached a path through the fields, John said that was the way they normally went with Matt's group, I said we always went by road but he could go that way if he liked. 3 went that way and I ran to the back of the group to run with Maggie for a while, as we approached the village hall in Great Ouseburn they were already playing in the park. We regrouped and set off for the church. Hayley and Martin were only running road and they were going to split off, but I said they could stay with us a while and go a different route avoiding the main road a bit longer. 

At the t junction Hayley and Martin split off and the rest of us headed for the golf course. Our dry feet were soon soaked again as we ran beside the fairways and waited while golfers played there shots. Tony got stung by a wasp, Jane came to the rescue with some Antisan. We left the golf course by Aldwark bridge, meeting back up with Hayley and Martin. Susan and Michael were there, as were Hilary and Julie. Jono was also there, that meant the fast runners were even closer. after refreshments we were joined by Autumn and set off again.

We ran towards the toll booth, trying to stay together to create the least disturbance possible.

All smiles, This time last year Sam was struggling but this year on her first M2M she was running strong.

Martin looking strong on his firs M2M too.

The next stretch was four miles of long winding road with the sun beating down and reflecting back off the tarmac.

We kept up regular regroups and I ran at the front middle and back of the group. We arrived at Linton on Ouse and Jono drove past, a little further along the road, the first of the fast group Doug, James and Dave caught and passed us. I was running with Maggie. We soon arrived in Newton on Ouse to cheers, we had our refreshments as the rest of the fast group arrived.
Joined now by Chris, Linda, Fiona and David we left first. we went back down the road to the public footpath, again it was overgrown, Helen and I picked up sticks to be weed whackers, more nettle stings as wee passed along the public footpath through peoples gardens, the houses were large with manicured lawns and landings for boats. One had a tennis court, We stayed close to the river now, past Beningborough Hall and the water tower and pump house.

Shortly after the water tower, I regrouped the runners, the path splits and instinct leads you to the gate and the well walked path, instead we had to stick to the riverside on a feint path. I still had my weed whacked as in previous years there has been overgrown sections on this bit. Soon the fast group caught up again and we were strung out along the path, which was clearer than in the past.

We let them pass and the rest of the 6 am group tagged along except Maggie. Maggie was finding the pace tough, I dropped back and ran with her, Matt and Claire kept running ahead a couple of hundred yards and then running back another couple of hundred yards, their garmin tracks must be a series of loops that last few miles and they must have run about 40 miles. Maggie had a good run walk system and the miles were passing

We emerged out onto the cycle path near Overton and other runners had come back to meet us and run us to the support cars. We refueled and rehydrated and set off, this time Maggie ran with John and they ran the cycle path which was a bit easier underfoot the rest of us ran up on the flood defence, around the river, under the York ring road and the Minster came into view, It didn't get closer for ages, we almost ran away from it a while before getting to the cycle path. I wondered if Maggie had gone past as I ran with Martin, we ran past the school Guy Fawkes went to, and I turned back to make sure everyone was with us, the 7 am group were all ahead, I soon saw Maggie was behind not ahead as I thought and I ran with her Matt and Claire. We could see the green rail bridge and Matt pointed out the grey paint of Lendall Bridge through the arches of the rail Bridge. The end was in sight, there was the ice cream van, then Matt pointed out the pub that we were going to afterwards, through the arch of the rail bridge and we could see the others at the end of the path. Some came back to meet us, and Maggie ran ahead to huge cheers and applause for completing the 30 mile run to celebrate her 60th year.

It started to rain, but we didn't care.

Once together we ran as a group through the tragic to the doors of the Minster. Total strangers stopped to clap and cheer us in. And watched as we gathered on the steps with the cyclists and support crew for photos.

All the first timers gathered together. Great achievement guys, almost 30 miles in under 8 hours, 7 for the faster group. My Garmin logged 6:48:57 moving time. The smiles say it all.

Then we all collected our bags from the support vehicles and made our way round to Marygate to the pub

With our guest runners Angela

   and Helen, both wearing borrowed RR vests.

The pub, The Bay Horse, was full on a wet Saturday afternoon. The loos were full of wet sweaty runners freshening up. Matt had arranged a room upstairs, some of us used that to get changed as we waited for our food. Trying to help the pub, a few of us had given Matt our choices, food came up, 2 dishes at a time, people claimed them, but other meals didn't arrive. It turned out that we needed to pay for the ordered meals before they were made, so we went and paid, and eventually everyone was fed. The food was lovely, portions big. 

At twenty past four we all walked to the bus that Jane had organised, It was burgundy, very apt. Some cyclists rode back

k to Ripon having a 68 mile round trip, others put their bikes in the luggage compartment under the bus and got the bus back.

Helen and I arrived back in Bedale just over 12 hours after leaving for our little adventure.

Thanks to all the runners, cyclists and support crew for another fantastic day out.

fighting back at Ripon Open water and Duathlon Series

Earlier this year I found out about a series of events at Ripon Racecourse run by Dewi Winkle and Sinan Osman (3D Tri)
The events were all on Friday evenings and seemed like a great way to get a different type of training session in. The Duathlons were

Friday's	Adult & Youth (15+)	Start time

9 Apr '16	2km / 29km / 2km	6pm
20 May '16	4km / 29km / 2km	7pm
24 Jun '16	4km / 29km / 2km	7pm
15 Jul '16	4km / 29km / 2km	7pm
26 Aug '16	4km / 29km / 2km	7pm

and the Open Water Swims were

Friday's	Adult (18+)	Youth (15+)	Tristar (13+)	Start time
20th May '16	800m	400m	300m	6pm
24th Jun '16	1500m	400m	300m	6pm
15th Jul '16	1500m	400m	300m	6pm
26th Aug '16	1500m	400m	300m	6pm

All were competitively priced so I entered all but the June ones as I was at Ambleside that weekend supporting Billy with Triathlon X
 More info on the series here http://www.3dtriathlon.co.uk/#!ripon-race-series/igkqn

The events were fast and furious but I enjoyed them. The last ones were on Friday 26 August and seemed a lovely way to end the season. I didn't know when I entered that the Minster2Minster marathon a Ripon runner annual event where club members run from Ripon Cathedral to York Minster would be on the 27 th August.
When the date for Minster2Minster was released I didn't hesitate and put my name down. It would be fine, I have a quick recovery rate and it would serve as good training towards Equnox24 in September where I would be running tired.
I also did not realise that my holiday in a hot and humid Rhodes for a fortnight would leave me feeling washed out and unfit.

After my return from Rhodes, I worked hard to get my fitness back and finally after a week I started to feel strong again, just in time. That was on Tuesday during a trail run I was doing to train for Equinox24. I felt strong but I was still slow, the rest of the week I just did short runs trying to pick up my pace.
Friday arrived. I registered and racked my bike before getting ready for the swim, the water was warm but it was still cool enough for wet suits. there was only 14 of us swimming, 4 laps of the buoys. As I was getting in the water I stood on a sharp stone, bruising my instep. The water was comfortable and clear, even though the weeds were high. I started ok, sighting off the first yellow buoy I was with the other swimmers. As I turned the sinking sun was reflecting off the water and I couldn't see the next buoy so I had to trust the other swimmers, but the pack was spreading out, it was a relief  to turn for the third buoy. On the second lap as I faced the bright setting sun again I could see something yellow amidst its glow, I headed confidently for it until I was close enough to see that it was actually the oar of the kayaker, looking back I could see the buoy and had to swim back to it. I was way at the back on my own now, for the next 2 laps I fought to catch back up but my lack of confidence between buoys 1 and 2 slowed me down. I was last coming out of the water in just over 27 minutes, but it was still 33.5 minute mile pace, so I was actually quite pleased.
From the swim there was no mucking about, wet suit off, get dried, put dry top on, socks and trainers go to the loo and get to transition in time for the draw for the bike. With every race completed each competitor had a chance to win a bike from Moonglu. It wasn't me.
There were quite a few competitors for the duathlon, the race started and I ran around the lake, the main pack were pulling away, I felt I was running fast but the gap still grew, I did pass a couple of runners on the second lap of the lake. one was a man 240, " I reckon he'll soon pass me on the bike" I thought. I ran into transition, put on my helmet and changed my shoes, put on my light as the light was starting to fade. I ran to the mount line and pedaled like mad, there were no other cyclists ahead, but I knew there were at least 5 people behind me. There was no one in sight as I turned towards Bishop Monkton. "Come on me" I said to myself. as I approached Bishop Monkton I saw  cyclist, the chase was on. I knew that my run was not as fast as I would like but I would really like to get this bike course completed in under an hour. I passed the cyclist before I got to Burton Leonard and my pride was soon dashed as the man I had passed on the run passing me. "No Way!" I stood on the pedals and chased him, passing other cyclists in the process, I caught and passed him in Copgrove and shot down to Staveley, passing another couple of cyclists, one overtook me again and I was fighting to keep up as 240 passed me again. The battle was on, he may not have been aware of it, but i focused on the rear light of the Staveley man who had passed me and ignored 240 but 240 was not getting any further ahead. As we headed onto the Boroughbridge bypass I pushed it to 30 mph and flew past 240 and passing others started to gain again on the man from Staveley. I felt that 240 would be on my tail so I pedaled like mad down to Skelton, Through Skelton and back to the racecourse. no-one caught me. As I dismounted I could hear someone behind. I racked my bike and changed my shoes as a young lad ran past me. I turned off my bike light and turned to see 240 running out of transition. "No!" I thought I had fought too hard. The man kept getting cramp but I couldn't catch him. then he settled into his run, I pushed a little harder, I was gaining, it was slow, could I catch him in time? Again I moved my focus as a couple passed me, I had passed them near Burton Leonard on the bike leg, I focused on them in the diminishing daylight, and eventually passed 240 as I chased the two runners. I could hear him talking to someone behind me so I couldn't relax for a moment pushing myself hard and hoping it wouldn't impact on Minster2Minster. I crossed the line and turned to welcome 240 in. It was a real battle, but with no animosity. I did the whole thing in 1 hour 34 minutes, 4 km run, 28 km bike and 2 km run and I did the bike leg in under an hour, only just but it was under an hour. Even though my runs were not as fast as usual the 4 km was 9:05 minute mile average and the 2 km at 9:15 minute mile pace, so not too bad.
I gathered my stuff together and set off home, getting home about 21:30 with all my mucky kit to sort. It was hard to force myself to wind down as I set my alarm for 04:00.

Hardmoors Wainstones Marathon 2016

14/08/16

                                                  Wainstones.

Three weeks after Outlaw Triathlon, Wainstones Marathon was never going to be easy. Between the two events I went to Rhodes for a holiday with all intentions to get a few good runs in. I did manage 4 short runs, one was even as long as three miles. It was too warm and I was too tired.

 When the email arrived with the final instructions, route description and map I recognised some of the route from the Osmotherly marathon, OMG it's gonna be hilly, Osmotherly gave me DOMS for the first time in months. I kept telling myself that even though I had not run for a few days, I had done a marathon three weeks before at Outlaw, I would be fine.

I got home from holiday at 2 am on 11 Aug, 

When I got up later that day, I re opened the email, registered for Racelifts and started to plan, first things first, go for a run, 1.7 miles done, very slow and even at 10 degrees cooler than Rhodes, I found it too warm and I had vertigo, really could do without that.

Friday came, I managed nearly 4 slow miles, my legs werent getting it. I got my map out. The one that I have marked all the HM marathons on this year, and sat with the route description highlighting key directions before picking a different colour pen to mark the map. This ritual seemed to flick a switch and I started to get back to race mode. The marked section went on both sides of the map overlapping part of the Osmotherly route. 

Saturday, I ran with the dog, very stop start but my legs were coming back at last. I packed my Solamon race vest with my essentials and the compulsory kit. I checked the route to the start on Google, It sent me round by Stokesley and Clay Bank although on the map, Lordstones looked the quicker route.

Sunday morning, I was up bright and early. I double checked my kit after breakfast and I set off for Chop Gate. The car sat nav tried to send me the short route via Lordstones, but I decided to go the Google route via Clay Bank and still nice and early, other Ripon Runners had beaten me to it though. I registered and collected my number,44, had my kit checked and my hand stamped. I had lost my pound for the car park, so I went back to the car, there it was, sat in the grass by the car boot I took it to pay to park before joining the other Ripon Runners for a chat.

Claire, Kim, Mike, Jono, Simon and Neil were already at the village hall

All too soon it was briefing. Jon read out a couple of funny emails, introduced us to someone who had spent last night at her hen night, and Jason who was doing his 100 th marathon before giving us a run down of the course and telling us that there'd be red tape as well as the usual yellow.

                                                    Jon Steele giving the race brief

Lots of prospective marathoners listening to the briefing.

                                                  Assembling for the start

One last visit to the loo and it was time to assemble for the start. Everyone seemed relaxed, it was a lovely summer Sunday morning and we were going on an adventure.

The race started behind the village hall, it was quite narrow and crowded. I was talking to Kelly, she had the stopwatches for the start, but was stuck on a rough track in the middle of a hundred or so runners. I helped her get to the front, then got myself back, away from the front, I didn't want to get in anyone's way. I found myself near Caroline who I ran some of Rosedale with. We chatted and suddenly the crowd surged and we were of, jogging, not far, there was a gate and style, that spread us out abit. Then we were climbing, it was steep and we were mainly single file on the track through the bracken, a multicoloured ribbon amongst the greenery.

Runners ahead, and runners behind, but where I was no one was running, the leaders may have run up the hill, but most of us walked.

You could see for miles across the valley it was such a lovely clear day.

We continued to clime, crossing a stile allowed us to admire the scenary and get some breath back

Still climbing out of Chop Gate

But eventually we reached the top and the track was good to run on, so I put my camera away for a bit as I made the most of the good terrain, most of this route was new to me, but straight forward to navigate, there was about 5 miles of good stuff. Furthest I'd run in a while, it went quick and I felt OK, it was early and still quite cool.

At Scugdale came the next climb, there would be 5 climbs in the next few miles, people talk of "the three sisters" but there is a hill either side and we were to do them all today, "Quadbusting Quintuplets" The first from Scugdale to Lordstones is quite a long climb that has brief level sections to give your quads a break. Last time I did these climbs was in May on the Osmotherley Marathon, it looks so different in August.

It was lovely chatting to other runners as we walked the inclines.

We emerged from the woods to beautiful purple Heather, the air was filled with its scent. It was quite cloudy and I wondered if maybe we would need raincoats later. The moors seem to have their own weather system.

But the clouds were high and you could see literally for miles, there's Roseberry Topping in the distance.

I live back there somewhere across the Vale and in the distance you can see the Yorkshire Dales

There were quite a few short ascents along this section, lots of chance to admire the views. I was being strict with myself about walking the ups and running the runnable downs and flats.

It seems like, whenever I am up on his section on the Cleveland way there is a paraglider. The views must be great from up there but I would never do it, 

Alison and her friend passed, running well, I asked after Gill, Alison said she was doing something on the continent. 

It was getting warmer now as we headed down to Lordstones, that's the first of 5 peaks done. As I reached the checkpoint there were half marathon runners coming in from the right and mingling among the marathoners as we passed through Lordstones to the first of the Three Sisters

It was now so warm by now that the camera lense steamed up

By the second sister there was a string of runners spread along the Cleveland way, with half marathoners breathing down the marathoners necks, eager to be past. I was finding it tough now, still steadily going forwards but my quads were burning and on the uneven steps down it felt like I was rattling every bone in my body. Lack of exercise offer the last 3 weeks was starting to show.

The third sister was looming above me, and although I was finding it tough, at the same time, it did feel like I was ticking each one off quite quickly (for me).

Scrambling through the Wainstones was a real test, but it also felt good to get them out of the way as the path is good for a while before descending carefully to Clay Bank. Yey! Checkpoint, I refilled my water bottle and my spare, which already had Tailwind in. There was watermelon, as an extra at this station.

The last of the five big claims along this section and leaving familiar territory for me. The map showed the path running along the contours, so I hoped for some respite from ascending and descending for a while.

Looking back you can see the trail of people descending to Clay Bank. I wasn't having a great run, but I was not last yet. I was still smiling as I past the SportSunday photographer. These guys are awesome, sitting out in exposed areas to snap us often as we struggle up a big hill.

You can see for miles behind me.

As I set off on the new territory I started to worry that I would miss the split where the half and full runners went their separate ways, but I could see Caroline in her cap ahead, so I focused on that as I ran through the bogs and heather paths, dropping into little valleys to cross streams and climb back out again. Half marathoners were racing past, it felt like I was going backwards. Then suddenly ahead, I saw the split, there was a checkpoint, phew!

I caught up with Caroline on the sandy road to Bloworth Crossing, she was struggling too, we walked a while together, her running partner Mark ran on as he was feeling good. Caroline and I jogged and walked up to Bloworth crossing and then turned right, more sandy, gently undulating (felt worse than it was on tired legs) we continued our run walk system as we ticked off the miles, we were doing ok again. 

There was an uneven descent which battered our legs, It was a relief to hit the checkpoint at the road. We ran down knowing there was a climb ahead.

 It was steep, but road, we walked but it was not too bad.

After walking up the road hill to a checkpoint we turned onto another sandy track.

Kim caught up with us and passed us here, she was fighting off cramp and had a nice steady pace. Caroline and I continued our run walk strategy and caught back up with Kim for a while. The track was quite nice for a while, we were making decent time

Then we had a steep descent with loose rocks, it battered our legs, it was like running on hot coals as my quads felt like they were gonna burst. The descent was followed by an equally steep ascent

Looking back I could see the yellow track zig zagging through the greenery.

This was a tough climb, but because it was level underfoot I got a big ahead, I jogged as the track levelled out and was relieved to see a couple of marshals, " go to the marshal vest and go through the wall, about a mile downhill" I looked round and the others were not far behind, I set off, looking forward to the last mile. I went through the wall and onto a narrow uneven Heather path, I couldn't run in case I tripped, I took it steady. 

I saw runners and Marshall's ahead, ghad back of the half marathon. It was Tony doing last runner. It was great to see him, I ran on through a farm. I knew I was nearly back now. I ran down the land to where Simon waited, he opened the gate for me to save me stopping. To the right the farmers were making round bales. The instructions were to run along this field, I was nervous of running in a field with active machinary. I clarified that I had to run along the edge of the field with the Marshall and kept as close to the edge as I could. There was a tractor and baler ahead, the operator dropped a round bale right in my path, it was settling, I slowed and waited until it was still before I ran round it to the stile, crossed the road and ran into the village hall to receive my tshirt and medal.

I then went back out to cheer Kim and Caroline  in.

There was a good spread to replace some calories, and coffee and tea. Felt loads better very quickly.

Very soon after Jason arrived after completing his one hundredth marathon. Amazing, what an inspiration. Congratulations Jason.

You can buy lots of different HM memorabilia, I must remember to bring some cash next time.

 I finished the Hardmoors Wainstones Marathon, number 5 out of 7 in the series in a time of 6 hours, 36 minutes and 4 seconds in position 87/127. I found this a tough route, partly because it is and partly through lack of preparation. But I enjoyed it and am pleased with my time and position.

27.11 miles and over 4500 ft of elevation.